Suit-case hasp.



O. E. JOHNSON.

SUIT CASE HASP.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.17, 1912.

Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

ZNVENTOR.

ma m W m COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH cO., WASHINGTON, 0.1:.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. JOHNSON, OF N EWBRITAIN, CONN ECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN HARDWARE CORPORATION, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

SUIT-CASE HASP.

, Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

To all whom it may concern:

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and Improved Suit-Case Hasp, of which the following is a specificationtremely durable hasp of extreme simplicity.

One form of device embodying my invention and in the construction and use of which the object hereinabove set out, as well as others, may be attained is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a face view of a hasp embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a view in section through the same on plane denoted by dotted line 22 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in section on plane denoted by dotted line 33 of Fig. 1.

In the accompanying drawings the numeral 5 denotes a face plate having raised portions 6 on opposite sides of an opening 7 within which a hasp 8 is located, this hasp having toes 9 projecting underneath the upper wall of the face plate at the back of the opening 7 and the hasp also having lugs 4 projecting into the recesses formed by the raised portions 6. A'back plate 10 is secured within a flange 11 of the face plate. The general construction thus far described is old and well known and except in combination with other parts hereinafter set out, form no part of my present invention.

In prior constructions the back plate 10 has been secured to the face plate 5 as by means of rivets extending through both of the parts, the appearance of the rivets on the surface of the face plate being removed in the polishing operation. Openings have also been provided through which screws, rivets or like means are passed for securing the face plate to the article to be fastened by the device. The presence of the end of the rivet on the surface of the face plate however does not remain obscured for a great length of time as in use the rivet will soon show on the surface of the plate thus marring' its appearance. In my improved device this objection is avoided, holes 12 being formed through the face plate for its attachment to the articles as by means of screws, rivets or the like. In making this hole the edges inside of the face plate are Be it known that I, CHARLES E. J oHNsoN,

formed in to a flange constituting a tubular lug 13, upon which lug the back plate 10 is placed and securely held by overturning a lip 14 fromthese lugs, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The construction thus provides a means for securely holding :My invention relates to the class of devices above named and an object of my in-- vention, among others, is to provide'an' exthe back plate 10 in :place in such manner as not to mar the outer surface of the face plate and the same construction also provides a means for receiving the device which fastens the face plate in position.

A common form of construction prior to. my invention has embodieda spring secured to the hasp 8 and projecting to engage the face plate for the purpose of holding the hasp normally pressed outward.

In my improved construction I provide a spring 15 securely held by the back plate 10 in position to exert a pressure upon the hasp to hold it normally open. This spring may vary as to its form and may be secured in any suitable manner, a satisfactory form being shown herein, in which the spring is of U-shape with the end of one arm resting against spring holding lugs 16 up turned from the front edge of the back plate 10, the

spring being forced to place between the lugs and hasp and the other arm of the spring projecting within the hasp 8 and pressing against it. The spring is thus securely held in place but may be removed by springing that end resting against the lugs inward so that it may be drawn out over the lugs. From this construction it will be seen that the spring is securely held in place, being secured by the back plate and hasp, and that it projects to perform its function upon the hasp. If the spring should become accident-ally broken it may be easily removed and replaced with another spring, whereas in prior constructions the expense of replacing the spring would be such as to practically prohibit such a course.

I claim 1. In a suit case hasp, in combination, a face plate having a flange extending about its edge and with a surface within said flange to receive a back plate with the outer surface of the latter lying within the plane of the edge of said flange, said face plate having holes for screws extending from its outer surface inwardly within the surface on which the back plate rests, the metal from the holes being formed into a tubular lug,

a back plate secured at each end upon said lugs against said receiving surface, and a hasp secured to the face plate.

2. In. combination in a suit case hasp, a face plate, a hasp pivotally secured thereto, a back plate rigidly secured to the face plate, and a spring reinovably secured and held in place by the back plate and projecting to exert a pressure upon said hasp. v

3. In combination in a suit case hasp, a face plate having a surrounding flange, a back plate secured Within said flange, a hasp pivotally held between the face plate and back plate and having a surrounding flange, a 1110' upon the back plate, and a spring held in place between said lug and the flange on the hasp and exerting a pressure upon the latter.

4. In combination in a suit case hasp, a face plate, a back plate secured to the under surface of the face plate and having a lug at its front edge, a hasp pivotally secured to the face plate and having a flange located at its back edge, and a U-shaped spring having one free end engaging said lug and the bend held by said flange and the other free end extending to exert pressure on the hasp.

CHARLES E. JOHNSON.

Witnesses:

l V. S. HOWE, J. H. MILLS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

